Pokémon Presents - Pokémon Day 2025 - Pokemon ZA Info & Pokemon Champions Announced

[ScraftyIsTheBest]

* Protags: Ah yes, Kalos, the fashionable region. Both are dressed a bit same-y, then again so did the ones in L:A, though at least they look nice; I like the Zygarde-colored jackets. The girls bell bottom jeans are notable, though in the game they don't look quite as open so could just be the stock art. Now I'm curious if they'll have customization, that was one of Gen 6's biggest introduced features and would feel odd to exclude it in this case. Also some say they look older than previous protags, and I say that's based on who you're talking about. Scarlet & Violet protags? Yes. But XY? They look to be about the same age as Serena & Calem (and if they are older it can't be more than a year). And, since this game is taking place in what I'm assume is the present, we already have a Serena & Calem so these two are all new. Though now I'm thinking it would have been funny if they designed them to resemble Adaman and Irida.

* Urbain / Taunie (Rivals): "The appearance you choose at the beginning of the game will determine whether Urbain or Taunie will appear"... GF, just say if you play as the boy you get Taunie and if you play as the girl you get Urbain. Why are you acting as if there's some hidden appearance value. Though I also have another question for GF about this: Why? Especially with how similar they are. Like, it made some sense in SwSh's Isle of Armor DLC to have different new rivals; though they filled the same role, Klara and Avery were distinct characters (helps they were different Type Gym Leaders) and version exclusive. But I'm not seeing that for Urbain and Taunie, they're gender swaps of each other and I'm going to guess have nearly the same personality. Like, the player is like that because we'd want to play as a character of our gender (or maybe the opposite gender, I don't judge). It feels like they only did this because they didn't want to repeat having the opposite gender character be the rival. I'm hoping there's more to these two than what we're going to be shown, but if they're just as generic as they seem to be than they should have just had the opposite gender character be the rival; just have them wearing the clothes Urbain/Taunie are wearing if that at all matters.

Actually, it's been pointed out in various places but Urbain and Taunie in their rival appearances actually look a lot like the player characters themselves. So in a sense, it is in fact the case that the opposite gender player character you don't pick is acting as your rival. It's just that they have a very noticeably different appearance as a rival compared to as a player, with their hair color being a palette swap of the player's hair and wearing different outfits from their player character incarnations.

So it is in fact the opposite gender player character acting as your rival with a spin, which is that the player character design has two very strikingly different appearances depending on whether they're acting as the player or the rival. It's a more extreme version of XY's case where the player character you didn't choose was your rival, but the rival version was hatless (and in Serena's case, hairstyle with her hair tied back instead of mostly hair down). The case here takes that design divergence to another level, using the same base design but swapping all of hairstyle, hair color (palette swap), and outfit.

(Which by extension, also means Z-A's player characters' "canon" names are most likely also Urbain and Taunie)

 

[Coronis]

Urban Townies, laying in the sun
Urban Townies, having so much fun
Urban Townies, with their Pokemon they laugh and play

 

[Rapti]

I'm not liking a lot of the talk around Pokemon Champions ngl. From what I can gather people are hoping for/expecting it to mark a decisive split where as Bakugames said it will be the VGC machine, letting Game Freak completely focus on making the mainline games strong single player experiences. Will this actually happen, though? I mean, it's not impossible, potentially not even improbable, but there are hardly any guarantees given just how little we actually know about this project.

Frankly I'm skeptical about how much this arrangement would even benefit the core games. If for Gen 10 they're basically gonna dismantle all the online infrastructure beyond doing casual matches and trades with friends (emphasis on if), will there be serious single player game design improvements to compensate? Like, what's the conversion rate? Are people expecting the internal dev resources that once went to ranked game modes to now go to a new battle facility or postgame dungeons? Suffice it to say, I have my doubts and I think people are setting themselves up for some major disappointment.

Despite the aforementioned doubts, I'm glad this is what ILCA has been put to work on. At least this is a product that could theoretically be good for the brand's health, which is more than you can say for another phoned-in FaithfulTM remake.

The thing is, most people already play the games as if they were single player only

think of all the times you've seen people being excited about trade evolutions in the wild
casual players hate trade evolutions

and VGC players hate all the hoops you've go through to get competitively viable pokemon
hoops put there in order to keep the single player campaign "balanced"

Gamefreak has finally noticed this disparity in design

now will this actually improve either experience? who knows but it's what the people seem to want

 

[Hugin]

• Latin American Spanish Added As 10th "Language Of Origin": Congrats Latin American players! Hmm, now was this done because Pokemon Company realized Spain Spanish isn't the same as Latin American Spanish so did this as a good gesture... OR could this be a hint for Gen 10's region basis? Well, that will probably be an announcement for next year, you know, Pokemon's 30th Anniversary...

If I was in charge of marketing for Game Freak, I'd put the main series/traditional games on a 5 year release cycle going forward. Line it up with the big number anniversaries, while also just being a good time frame for major shifts in the competitive/anime/etc. I don't think they actually will do that, but it would be very effective IMO.

POKEMON LEGENDS: Z-A:

• Lumiose City: Looking good, at least as much as the SV engine allowed them. It it is much bigger now, question is big enough for a whole game? Now, we did see that we can travel the rooftops, even using the Rotom phone to float us above the street to another building's roof (jeez, Pokemon trainers have balls of steel and a grip to match). Youtuber RadicalSoda joked about how strong and multiuse the Rotom Phones are and then suggested that could maybe be one of the traversing "upgrades" for this game, and I can see it. If we're stuck in just Lumiose City for the entire game, I think a way to "increase" the size of it is by adding these "layers" we gain access to via Rotom Phone upgrades. Like here we see the rooftops that Rotom Phone let us hop between, no doubt there has to be a sewer level, and in one scene was saw a digital NPC so maybe there's also a digital Lumiose City.

Paris. Catacombs. If we don't get to find a movie theater being visited by a bunch of ghost pokemon beneath Lumiose, I'm going to riot.

• Wild Zones & Catching: So, a big question I at least asked is how are we going to catch Pokemon if we're just in the city. GF answered: Wild Zones. Parts of the city, be it a park, rooftops, or even the street, have been renovated in a way that certain Pokemon like and now inhabit (where did the Pokemon come from and how do they keep a steady population? Ugh, let's just say Quasartico Inc. has a Hoopa on its payroll and move on). Alright then, its a bit strange and feels like they're already stretching my disbelief but do you want a Pokemon game or not?
  But, what is this? It looks like when catching Pokemon you can finally KO them... AND THEN THROW A POKE BALL TO CATCH THEM! Mentioning RadicalSoda again, they said that you likely have a second or two timeframe to throw your Pokeball before the Pokemon vanishes, and I agree with that assumption. They also noted that next to a wild Pokemon there were these yellow triangles next to it. Fletchling has three of them from the start, and Flaaffy had two but when it was attacked & KOed it went up to three. They think this shows how "catachable" the Pokemon (so both a weak Pokemon and KOed Pokemon would have all three triangles), but I'm not sure. For one thing, its odd they would even show something like that. Two, there's a few later battles in the trailer against a Pyroar and Talonflame and even when KOed they remained at one triangle. I don't know, nothing I can think of at the moment would explain all of it.

Maybe Pyroar and Talonflame are always hard to catch(65 and 45 catch rates respectively) and even knocking them out doesn't take them above 1 triangle? We might even have a situation where you CAN knock someone out and throw a ball, but it's better to Status and weaken them.

* Starters: Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile; no one guessed them doubling up! And I have to wonder if that was partially intentional. Like, I'm sure they did pick these three because they did have an idea for whatever their new evolution will be (some are saying they may not have a new evolution but rather they're getting a Mega Evolution, I'm not quite sure on that). But with them picking two Starters from the same region I feel this is yet another way of them showing Legends is a series where they're going to experiment and not let past traditions limit what they do. Yes, we're still getting the three Starters, but as long as the Starters follow the Grass-Fire-Water triangle (for now) they can be from any gen, even two from the same.

Introducing the final forms for the starters in Legends: Tin Tower, it's Poliwrath, Shiftry, and Chandelure!

(fun fact, there are almost no 3-stage Fire lines other than starters. It's Chandelure and Talonflame only, and Talonflame doesn't start out as a Fire)

* Protags: Ah yes, Kalos, the fashionable region. Both are dressed a bit same-y, then again so did the ones in L:A, though at least they look nice; I like the Zygarde-colored jackets. The girls bell bottom jeans are notable, though in the game they don't look quite as open so could just be the stock art. Now I'm curious if they'll have customization, that was one of Gen 6's biggest introduced features and would feel odd to exclude it in this case. Also some say they look older than previous protags, and I say that's based on who you're talking about. Scarlet & Violet protags? Yes. But XY? They look to be about the same age as Serena & Calem (and if they are older it can't be more than a year). And, since this game is taking place in what I'm assume is the present, we already have a Serena & Calem so these two are all new. Though now I'm thinking it would have been funny if they designed them to resemble Adaman and Irida.

* Urbain / Taunie (Rivals): "The appearance you choose at the beginning of the game will determine whether Urbain or Taunie will appear"... GF, just say if you play as the boy you get Taunie and if you play as the girl you get Urbain. Why are you acting as if there's some hidden appearance value. Though I also have another question for GF about this: Why? Especially with how similar they are. Like, it made some sense in SwSh's Isle of Armor DLC to have different new rivals; though they filled the same role, Klara and Avery were distinct characters (helps they were different Type Gym Leaders) and version exclusive. But I'm not seeing that for Urbain and Taunie, they're gender swaps of each other and I'm going to guess have nearly the same personality. Like, the player is like that because we'd want to play as a character of our gender (or maybe the opposite gender, I don't judge). It feels like they only did this because they didn't want to repeat having the opposite gender character be the rival. I'm hoping there's more to these two than what we're going to be shown, but if they're just as generic as they seem to be than they should have just had the opposite gender character be the rival; just have them wearing the clothes Urbain/Taunie are wearing if that at all matters.

Pokemon designers not be weird about gender, Difficulty: 1 triangle.

* Jett (Quasartico Inc. CEO) & Vinnie (Jett's Secretary): EVIL!
... Sorry, force of habit. Anyway, I guess Quasartico Inc. moved in when Lysandre Labs was likely shut down when it's owner was revealed to be a mad man who was going to raze the world with a weapon of mass destruction. Jett sounds like a good person (but so did Lusamine) though Vinnie just looks like he's hiding something (anyone else he slightly resembles Lysandre? It's not him as the nose is different (unless he got plastic surgery), and if he is related than why is he working as an underling for another company?... And what is with the Buneary & Pancham hair buns?). Quasartico Inc. itself looks to be just as much of a high tech place as Aether Paradise; it's the Pokemon world presented to you by Apple.

I think you're reading too much into Vinnie's design. Dude's just a mafia enforcer. The "secretary" job title is a cover, and the hair is no one being willing to tell him how it looks. Think of this Public Relations Officer for a small shipping firm:

* Mega Pokemon: Move on folks, there's nothing to see here... OR IS THERE? Well, nothing NEW, but we do see ORAS Mega Pokemon here so it at least confirms they are in this Kalos game (hey, don't give me that look, with GF's recent track record this was a genuine concern). Anyway I'm going to assume all current com mon Mega Pokemon are in the game. If there's any I question are the Legendaries (Mewtwo, Eon Duo, Rayquaza) and Primal Reversions; Only exception would be Diancie for obvious reasons.

You're the first one I've seen NOT assume the Legendary Megas are a shoe-in. It seems incredibly hard to justify Lati@s etc showing up TBH, but at the same time, I think people would be upset if they didn't exist. But...if the new metagame is going to be Champions, we don't actually need the mons, just the megastones, as long as the legends are available elsewhere. We can either transfer the Legendaries to ZA, or we can just get the megastones there, transfer them to Champions, and then also transfer to Champions the Legends we caught in:
Mewtwo: BDSP, SWSH DLC
Lati@s: SV DLC, BDSP, SWSH DLC
Super-Ancient Trio: SV DLC, BDSP, SWSH DLC
Oof, so MewTwo probably shows up, but the others could be some variety of transfer. This could turn into the most convoluted pay-to-win since using Gen VI Defog on cart.

 

[Yung Dramps]

The thing is, most people already play the games as if they were single player only

think of all the times you've seen people being excited about trade evolutions in the wild
casual players hate trade evolutions

and VGC players hate all the hoops you've go through to get competitively viable pokemon
hoops put there in order to keep the single player campaign "balanced"

Gamefreak has finally noticed this disparity in design

now will this actually improve either experience? who knows but it's what the people seem to want

My post isn't talking about the player end: I'm fully aware this is how things operate in practice. I'm just saying there's no actual way to tell if Champions is going to address any of these issues and actually herald the clean break people are asking for. Will there be very strong Pokemon customization options, or will you be expected to transfer battle-ready Pokemon from the main series like the Stadium duology and Battle Revolution? Will Gen 10 and beyond adopt the action-based combat elements and other stuff people like from Legends that can't work under status quo conditions? Maybe, hell I'd be even tentatively willing to say probably, but we just don't know! All I'm doing is advising the people who think this is gonna be some huge game-changer for how the main series is run to keep their expectations in check until we get any real info.

 

[AztecCroc]

It seems incredibly hard to justify Lati@s etc showing up TBH

The Latis are literally the easiest of them to justify, they've already been established to just go roam around random regions for fun.

See RSE/ORAS, HGSS, BW2. The Latis just randomly being somewhere has literally always been their mo prior to the "cram all the legendaries in one spot" thing Alola started.

There's already a Mewtwo in Kalos, who in the anime even went and hung out on top of Prism Tower Batmaning.

The only ones somewhat difficult to justify are Rayquaza and maybe Groudon/Kyogre if they include the Primals.

 

[ant4456]

The thing is, most people already play the games as if they were single player only

think of all the times you've seen people being excited about trade evolutions in the wild
casual players hate trade evolutions

and VGC players hate all the hoops you've go through to get competitively viable pokemon
hoops put there in order to keep the single player campaign "balanced"

Gamefreak has finally noticed this disparity in design

now will this actually improve either experience? who knows but it's what the people seem to want

Game Freak doesn't make it take longer to make Pokemon teams for the sake of singleplayer. They do it because Pokemon is actually a social game and their endgames are based on MMO gameplay loops. Loops where you have to go through most mechanics of the game, especially the side ones, to get the correct stuff for your endgame builds.

For instance, eggs being in picnics aren't just a QoL feature, they're there so that you use that feature beyond just For Fun. Dynamax Raids were the only way to get HAs in SWSH before transfering, which meant everyone had to actually engage with those mechanics.

And frankly, I think it's worth the trade off of VGC players on Twitter being annoyed that it takes like 3 hours to make a competitive team to actually get people to play the game. Pokemon is a Role Playing Game. It should never just be Pokemon Showdown, or have a Pokemon Showdown embedded into it.

 

[ant4456]

Lumiose City: Looking good, at least as much as the SV engine allowed them

Btw "SV engine" is not something I'd die on the hill of here. Legends Arceus truly finished development before the game came out, which means pre-production started soon after (or even before PLA finished).

This means that there was like 10+ months before SV even came out, and SV's engine is not *truly* "SV engine", it's the Sun and Moon engine. Again. Every Switch Pokemon game is based on the SM engine. The reason PLZA has a visual style more similar to SV is likely just because they wanted it to, simple as. It's more likely this is based on PLA or even SWSH rather than SV.

I mean, I'm not the devs. It could technically be based on SV's edit of the SM engine, but I doubt it as of now. It could be a Frankenstein of code between all of them tbh.

 

[Basedwell]

I mean, I always preferred the 3rd versions due to storytelling reasons and availability of version exclusives.

That’s extremely fair, but having extensive battle facilities was always part of Emerald’s selling point. My overall point was that decoupling your core product from any sort of battle related challenges could have a negative effect down the line, as some fans really liked having that option. The same thing Yung Dramps was getting at

 

[AztecCroc]

Every Switch Pokemon game is based on the SM engine.

Except BDSP, those were made in Unity.

 

[Snoozer (Zzz...)]

Updated Legends: Z-A checklist:

Large Image

Original X & Y Pokedex for comparison:

Large Image

Color code:
- Green: this Pokemon is present in the Legends: Z-A Pokedex,
- Light Green: this Pokemon was introduced in Generation VI and remains unconfirmed,
- Blue: this Pokemon is from a family that can Mega Evolve and is present in the original Kalos Pokedex,
- Purple: this Pokemon is from a family that can Mega Evolve and is not present in the original Kalos Pokedex,
- Light Purple: this Pokemon is capable of Primal Reversion.


New confirmations:
- Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard,
- Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot,
- Kangaskhan,
- Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium,
- Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr,
- Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos,
- Houndour, Houndoom,
- Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar,
- Sableye,
- Budew, Roselia, Roserade,
- Swablu, Altaria,
- Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence,
- Riolu, Lucario,
- Tepig, Pignite, Emboar,
- Patrat, Watchog,
- Trubbish, Garbodor,
- Litwick, Lampent, Chandelure,
- Bunnelby, Diggersby,
- Scatterbug, Spewpa, Vivillon,
- Spritzee, Aromatisse,
- Swirlix, Slurpuff,
- Inkay, Malamar,
- Clauncher, Clawitzer,
- Dedenne,
- Goomy, Sliggoo, Goodra,
- Zygarde.


Presently 126 Pokemon species are directly confirmed to appear in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. So far, excluding the new Starters, all currently confirmed Pokemon were present in the original Kalos Pokedex. The previous Legends game, despite being set in the past, made it possible to obtain every Pokemon from Generation IV, including Porygon-Z and Magnezone. This is why I believe that it is safe to assume that all Pokemon introduced in Generation VI will make an appearance in this game as well.

Out of 48 existing Mega Evolutions, 10 were directly shown in the trailer: Mega Lucario, Mega Kangaskhan, Mega Absol, Mega Sableye, Mega Altaria, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Ampharos, Mega Gyarados and Mega Gardevoir. Mega Sableye and Mega Altaria were introduced in Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire – this makes it highly unlikely that other Mega Evolutions introduced after X & Y will be arbitrarily blocked from making an appearance in Legends: Z-A.

The Hisui Pokedex in Legends: Arceus contained 242 Pokemon species. If we add all Generation VI Pokemon, all families with members capable of Mega Evolution, and other confirmed Pokemon we will already have 216 Pokemon species in the Legends: Z-A Pokedex (218 with the Primals). It is important to note that not all Pokemon that can Mega Evolve were present in the original Kalos Pokedex, but I will not be surprised if they get added in for completion sake. Legends: Arceus added a few evolutionary families not present in the Sinnoh Pokedex like the Paras & Vulpix lines.

Interestingly, Legends: Arceus Pokedex did not contain many Pokemon introduced after Generation IV. Sylveon was present thanks to its relation to Leafeon & Glaceon. Everyone else was only present thanks to a brand new Form/Evolution/Group Member. Out of the Pokemon present in the original Kalos Pokedex: Dunsparce, Bisharp, Ursaring, and Scyther got new evolutions after Generation VI. Scyther’s evolution Kleavor is especially interesting as it is a member of a line that contains a Pokemon capable of Mega Evolution: Scizor. It is important to note that Kleavor is treated as a past-exclusive evolution of Scyther. The only time it appeared in a game set in the present it was treated as separate from the rest of its family, so it will not be terribly surprising if it does not make the cut for Legends: Z-A.

The original Kalos Dex is notable for being a gigantic Pokedex split between three smaller Pokedexes ( Central, Coastal & Mountain ) and containing 457 Pokemon species. I have a feeling that the Legends: Z-A Pokedex will be much smaller than that, especially given that the previous game in the Legends series had way fewer Pokemon than this. There is also another interesting problem: if this game had over 450 Pokemon where would it even put them? To be honest, if the game is really limited to only Lumiose City, then accommodating even 240 Pokemon species is a stretch as well. I find it difficult to believe that all catchable Pokemon will be contained in those relatively tiny parks. I feel like we are still missing a sizable piece of the puzzle. Maybe this Lumiose Redevelopment Plan will involve remodeling the city into different biomes like Desert and Jungle to properly accommodate all those wild Pokemon.

 

[Volt-Ikazuchi]

I don't know if anyone posted this here yet, but Wolfe is on to something here.

Especially during ZA's time in the sun.

I don't think Gen 10 is coming this year for obvious reasons, and they're sure not dropping it in the first half of 2026 either.

Separating PvP from the single-player experience actually makes a LOT of sense, especially since ZA's battles resemble the anime's so much. It's certainly a very bold decision, and I'm interested to see what comes out of this experiment.

For example, unlike Gen 8, where PLA/BDSP/SwSh couldn't connect in a PvP scenario, the first trailer for Champions showcases a Tera vs Mega showdown. This directly affects both VGC and Smogon metagames.

 

[DrPumpkinz]

I don't know if anyone posted this here yet, but Wolfe is on to something here.

Especially during ZA's time in the sun.

I don't think Gen 10 is coming this year for obvious reasons, and they're sure not dropping it in the first half of 2026 either.

Separating PvP from the single-player experience actually makes a LOT of sense, especially since ZA's battles resemble the anime's so much. It's certainly a very bold decision, and I'm interested to see what comes out of this experiment.

For example, unlike Gen 8, where PLA/BDSP/SwSh couldn't connect in a PvP scenario, the first trailer for Champions showcases a Tera vs Mega showdown. This directly affects both VGC and Smogon metagames.

Wolfe did an overview of how Champions could affect both multiplayer and singleplayer, and also touched on the tournament logistics problems that Pokemon is currently having (spoiler: Champions doesn't make it better)

Bro you even liked the post.

 

[ant4456]

Except BDSP, those were made in Unity.

There's two "definitions" of engine used for this kind of conversation.

"Engine" in that sense and "Engine" meaning the long-standing code of a game, which is usually developed in pre-production and fleshed out over time, thus making games made in the same engine usually sharing a lot of traits.

That is what I'm mainly referring to. While BDSP is somewhat quirky, most of its codebase is still based on the same "engine" in that sense.

 

[Volt-Ikazuchi]

Bro you even liked the post.

My brainrot was extra rotten today.

Still, it's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out, as I'm sure this will have BIG ripple effects on Gen 10 if it works well now.

 

[Codraroll]

(fun fact, there are almost no 3-stage Fire lines other than starters. It's Chandelure and Talonflame only, and Talonflame doesn't start out as a Fire)

Plus the Magmar and Rolycoly lines, although the latter also doesn't start out as Fire.

Strangely, Water is almost as badly off in this regard. There are tons upon tons of Water-type Pokémon out there, but only a handful of three-stage families that aren't starters (Poliwag, Marill, Horsea, Lotad, Spheal, Tympole). Grass, however, has plenty to choose between: Oddish, Bellsprout, Hoppip, Seedot, Lotad, Roselia, Sewaddle, Bounsweet, Applin and Smoliv. More than one per generation on average.

 

[Yung Dramps]

I think there'll definitely be a good amount of plot, Legends in the title and all (plus me and the fellow lore nerds pogging out of our gourd at zydog). My theory is as follows:


Lumiose City's Tower Thing whatever it's called will have someone try to turn it into the Ultimate Weapon. On the logo we see it predominantly, and I think that's more than just the setting.

View attachment 718163

Neatly, the logo also has roots in the tower which is probably showing how while Legends Arceus is about humans colonizing the Earth, Legends ZA is about Pokemon colonizing Lumiose City. We're going Z to A, if Arceus is A to Z.

But yeah I think that the placement matches thing will tie into it, probably be this game's "Nobles". Maybe some underground shady dealings around a competition of sorts? I think it'd be cool if we got to see some classic Paris underground stuff, I think that's pretty realistic, and maybe some bits right outside of the City.

Lastly, I think it's possible this game will have one of those "midstory / plot the entire city changes 'cuz of plot" moments that will make the city more interesting, but obviously that is baseless speculation.

Clemont watching his life's work turn into a giant gun while the vengeful Team Flare true believers threaten to level his block

 

[Rapti]

(fun fact, there are almost no 3-stage Fire lines other than starters. It's Chandelure and Talonflame only, and Talonflame doesn't start out as a Fire)

you wot mate?

(we do not talk about not-Chuggalong)

 

[Nokocchi]

Plus the Magmar and Rolycoly lines, although the latter also doesn't start out as Fire.

Strangely, Water is almost as badly off in this regard. There are tons upon tons of Water-type Pokémon out there, but only a handful of three-stage families that aren't starters (Poliwag, Marill, Horsea, Lotad, Spheal, Tympole). Grass, however, has plenty to choose between.

Marill line is another case of the line not starting out as that type(Azurill is Normal type instead of Water)

 

[Yung Dramps]

I'm intrigued by Lumiose Museum's prominence in the map illustration. It gets its own shot in the bottom-left corner and an icon in the Pokemon language description thing. It was a fairly minor building in XY, essentially serving as a gallery for old game concept art and such, so I wonder what could be going on there this time around for it to get higher billing than, say, Sycamore's lab

 

[Pikachu315111]

PRE-DIRECT (Pages 1-3 pretty much):

Off the top thoughts:

• Scarlet & Violet will either re-run some older Mighty Mark pokemon here-Pikachu or Eevee maybe- or will run Mighty Mark SV Starters.
• I don't think Flying Eeveelution in Z-A is happening. I think they released Flying Eevee event to parallel the iconic Flying Pikachu.
• So honestly I don't believe any of the thoughts about SV getting any content update or performance update or any of that. But, even if that is in the cards, I think that'll be shown in the April Switch 2 direct and not here. Seems more relevant there.

1. Good call on the Mighty SV Starters.

2. I don't think Flying Eeveelution was on the table at all, not even for Gen 10. If the translated notes from the leak are accurate, sadly GF consider designing a new Eeveelution (at least of a previous existing Type) such a project it's not worth doing unless that Eeveelution is somehow a central character. So from that, I would more think a new Eeveelution would show up in something like a new Pokemon Colosseum game where it could be the Starter, or maybe as an important NPC in a new Mystery Dungeon. And whether it would be Flying or a different Type is another story, like I think the reason they chose Flying was because Alola is a chain of islands so maybe it could have something to do with how you travelled between them (maybe instead of Charizard Glide it would have been Zephyeon Glide).

3. Sad to say but, aside from Tera Raids, I have to imagine with the DLCs released that SV is considered done and work has shifted fully to Gen 10.

At least it looks like people realized we're not getting Isekai'd again

Nah, they saved that for Pokemon Champions.

Just wanna throw some crazy predictions regarding Z-A.

Pokémon predictions:
1p. Flygon Mega among them

2p. At least a Gen 9 mon mega (think of Glimmora or Tinkaton)

1p. Mega Flygon is going to forever haunt them until they do it. At least it has Mega Jynx to keep it company.

2p. Hm, if I were to bet a Gen 9 Pokemon to get a Mega, well first it would have to be one I could see being in Kalos/Lumiose City. And of them I'd say... Maushold. Like any big city, Paris has a big rodent problem, so Tandemaus should have no problem moving in and starting up Mausholds. But if they maybe want a more simpler Pokemon to make a suped up Mega for, I'd go for the pair of Armarouge and Ceruledge.

Mechanics predictions:
1m. Zygarde cells will be the new Spiritomb wisps (yea this isn't a crazy one)

2m. Megas don't need items to evolve at all (mega stones will work as a key item)

3m. Customizable Lumiose City to be a bigger feature of the game: you can actually change how the streets play out in some parts of the city, move some bussinesses around and level up them.
In order to do that you'll probably need to get a rise at Quasar Co., just like Galaxy Team in PLA, after calming down some bosses (mega mons prob)

4m. Pokémon will be catchable everywhere around - streets, roofs, channels, sewerage, catacombs, etc. - but the main place to do that will be parks
Parks to be introduced where the different Lumiose Squares were located, and Pokémon which spawn there get better as story progresses, in a similar way to the Wild Area in SwSh

1m. I mean, we have an even more direct example: the Zygarde Cell collection quest in Sun & Moon. Infact looking through it may be a good idea to remind us of little things like some Zygarde Cells only appearing during day or night.

2m. Huh, didn't think about that. Infact, since Legends: Arceus had a unique way of calculating stats, maybe we shouldn't assume the Mega Pokemon will be as they were during Gen VI and VII. Because I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have hold items in Z-A (though I do hope they bring back Abilities, even if they have to change how some of them function), so would be a chance for GF to also play around with their stats to maybe make them less OP so maybe introduced in a future game they also wouldn't need to hold their Mega Stone. Some Pokemon need more than a 100 BST increase, others can do with less or even none, for a lot of Pokemon a good Type change & Ability (and better stat redistribution) goes a long way. Oh, and it also means any Pokemon that have a Mega can do it (like with Dynamax & Terastal) which would help out those Pokemon with Mega you wouldn't use otherwise.

3m. Like Join Avenue in BW2? I could see it, at least with "leveling up" stores (and let's not forget the restaurants & cafes). From XY there's the PR Video Studio, Galette Stand, Lumiose Museum, Battle Institute, Stone Emporium, Herboriste, Friseur Furfrou, Loto-ID Center, Lumiose Press, Poke Ball Boutique, Juice Shoppe, etc..
Of course, what now puts a obstacle in that path is the reveal the player is just a sightseer, a tourist. Granted, one who seems to get entangled in the going-ons of Lumiose City and we do eventually meet with Quasartico Inc's CEO, but still with the thought the player at anytime may leave they wouldn't give any city designing decision to them.

4m. You called that, though probably not in the way presented. Though interesting point about maybe the catahable areas, what we now know as Wild Zones, can also be "upgraded" and have new Pokemon show up. Would give us a reason to go back to older areas and explore around Lumiose City multiple times.

Story predictions:
1s. Emma and Bonnie to have bigger roles in the story - maybe one of them introduces Zygarde to you

2s. Galarian / Paldean character cameo

3s. Catchable AZ's Floette and UBs in post-game sidequests

1s. Except neither have anything to do with Zygarde (game Bonnie isn't anime Bonnie). If anyone would do that would be Sycamore, Dexio & Sina as they'll have the Zygarde Cube. Though, that said, it looks like there's a 10% running around which the site says has already taken an interest in the player, so Zygarde may need no introduction (not to mention we have AZ who may be filling a mentor figure as the Hotel Z owner).

2s. Paldean, going to say no as GF may feel it's too soon.
Galar, problem is a lot of Galar characters are tied with the League so don't really see any have a reason for cameoing.
Though, if I were to suggest characters, ORAS presented a little factoid: Mauville City and Lumiose City are sister cities. Infact, Wattson's redesign of Mauville City was inspired by Lumiose City, so I'd say a cameo from him would be a neat callback. But if we use the Paris sister city idea, here's another: New York City. Get some Unova representation, and there's two good ones: Burgh and Elesa.

3s. Hm, we did skip the Ultra Beast in SV, and Quasartico is giving me Aether Foundation vibes. Maybe? Though, with them bringing back Mega Evolution, would it be considered too much? Though I guess this would be a chance to give a UB a Mega (the most obvious would be Naganadel).

So to me, to have XYZ follow up game have an A in it, its like.... I think the bigger question is will there also be a B & C pokemon

*W Pokemon crying in the corner*

-Zygarde will get a new form where it looks like a Tumblr Sexyman

"You may not like it but this is peak Zygarde sexyman"

I have hopes and dreams for Legends Z-A but the only prediction I'm really counting on is Alpha Megas.

Oh, right, Wild Mega Pokemon would make sense as our Alpha expies.

BTW, just want to get this off my chest: I'm getting annoyed with people saying "Mega Evolving is painful for the Pokemon". But I feel that's misinterpreting what was meant by those dark Mega Dex entries. It's not that Mega Evolution is painful, it's that Mega Evolution is dangerous if not done correctly. Mega Evolution is a very powerful thing and requires a Pokemon to have a strong bond with a Trainer so they can burden some of the energy flow that it doesn't overpower the Pokemon, thus a Trainer Mega Evolving their Pokemon is not painful to them. HOWEVER a WILD Pokemon Mega Evolving is generally a bad thing as it has no one to shoulder the extra energy so, if not powerful enough, can be overwhelmed and go crazy.

anyway i want pokemon pinball. i will not get pokemon pinball but i want it.

We may not have gotten Pokemon Pinball, but I wouldn't lose hope. No one thought we'd ever get another Pokemon Snap game, and now we're getting the next game in the Stadium/Colosseum/Battle Revolution "series" which everyone thought was dead when the games jumped to 3D.

However know that they'll probably call it "New Pokemon Pinball".

After the Toyota Miraidon bike from a while back, Honda has unveiled the Koraidon bike!

So important question about these bikes: Are they fueled by sandwiches?

--------------------------------------------------

POST DIRECT:

Something worth of note is that they shown nothing new. No megas, no pokemon, no regional forms.
I would assume they're saving them for later, probably for the Direct that'll have the actual release date (I am expecting such Direct to happen somewhere near summer)

I think they should have shown at least one new Mega... if they are making any new Megas.

"Really?". Okay, okay, it is too early to start sounding that alert, but I think it's a genuine concern that could have been easily set aside with them showing just one. One new Mega Pokemon for everyone to talk about and get excited for and what other Mega Pokemon are on the way. Because they have brought back Megas a few times now, but none of those times were there any new ones made.

Also, showing a Mega now would then make people wonder if they're saving the reveal of Regional Variants for later. Cause showing a new Mega Pokemon and showing new Regional Variants can be used as two different announcements. But now we're assuming their saving new Megas for later, which leaves little room for Regional Variant announcements... if there are any. Show one new Mega now, tell us about a few more for next couple of months, then reveal Regional Variants a month or so before release. But now for the next couple of months we're probably getting nothing (at least in news of Mega Pokemon), then a few months before release will probably be told about new Mega, and up to the games release will just be a new Mega here and there; not much room for Regional Variants.

And sure, if they never tell us but there are some then it would certainly be a nice surprise (and I'm sure there would be many who will praise not being told). But I would also like a steady supply news now that we've done the first gameplay trailer, but fear since we weren't told much we're now going to have radio silence until a few months before release. Keep the hype up.

everyone shut up abt z-a or whatever they got pokemon in the spanish spoken by normal people now instead of europeans. peace has finally come

... Wouldn't Spain be considered the normal ones since their version came first? Latin American Spanish being then a Regional Variant that's more popular than the original?

Chikorita love finally.

Love until people start picking it and remember that for some reason GF thought a defensive pure Grass-type was a good idea.

If Essentia happens not to have a unique battle theme I'm blasting this shit at 5,000 decibels

What do you think Master's attempt?

Funny how they retconned AZ to be a publicly known hotel owner with eternal flower Floette while in XY he was portrayed as a mysterious hobo with an unknown past.

Well on the site it says for both AZ and Floette that "they're said to be 3000 years old", so it seems to have been turned to more of a rumor with implication there are people who don't believe it (which is understandable as only a handful of people were involved with the situation where that factoid held any importance). And yeah, AZ is tall, but freaky mutation happen.

is it just me or does exploration in this game seem kinda ass

Basically the first thing they showed of gameplay is that they gave up on ladders, I wouldn't say it's just you.

Yeah, bringing up RadicalSoda again, they went on a small rant about the teleporting to the roofs instead of using ladders or stairs.

While at first it seems disappointing, I would like to also think GF has considered playing the game in long term than just wanting to cut a corner. Because if there were big ladders/stairs we needed to climb to get to the roofs, sure, at first it would feel immersive. But, after doing it a few times, and being it looks like the rooftops may be a frequent "layer" you'd go to for exploration and catch Pokemon, that "immersion" will turn into "tiring" if you had to climb the ladder/stairs each time, even if it was a cutscene. At that point you'd wish it would just teleport you up cause what else are you going to do in a middle of climbing a ladder or winding staircase?

In addition, it's not like this technology doesn't have precedence. Teleporters have existed since Gen 1, plus Quasartico look to be very much into this high tech/holographic tech so makes sense with them being in charge of the redevelopment.

And we do still see there are ladders, but they're for traversing on a "layer" instead of between them.

Mega Stones as hold items were mentioned in the Presents, so it seems like hold items will be a thing here (unlike in Arceus).

Oh, must have missed that. Hm. Well, maybe they won't have Hold Items but for Pokemon with Mega Evos they'll have a special slot for them to just hold their Mega Stone. I can see them doing that so if you have maybe multiples of a same Pokemon only one of them can go Mega so there's still some strategy.

--------------------------------------------------

(Just got to the end of Page 5, and going to stop here for now)

 

[Yung Dramps]

PRE-DIRECT (Pages 1-3 pretty much):


1. Good call on the Mighty SV Starters.

2. I don't think Flying Eeveelution was on the table at all, not even for Gen 10. If the translated notes from the leak are accurate, sadly GF consider designing a new Eeveelution (at least of a previous existing Type) such a project it's not worth doing unless that Eeveelution is somehow a central character. So from that, I would more think a new Eeveelution would show up in something like a new Pokemon Colosseum game where it could be the Starter, or maybe as an important NPC in a new Mystery Dungeon. And whether it would be Flying or a different Type is another story, like I think the reason they chose Flying was because Alola is a chain of islands so maybe it could have something to do with how you travelled between them (maybe instead of Charizard Glide it would have been Zephyeon Glide).

3. Sad to say but, aside from Tera Raids, I have to imagine with the DLCs released that SV is considered done and work has shifted fully to Gen 10.



Nah, they saved that for Pokemon Champions.



1p. Mega Flygon is going to forever haunt them until they do it. At least it has Mega Jynx to keep it company.

2p. Hm, if I were to bet a Gen 9 Pokemon to get a Mega, well first it would have to be one I could see being in Kalos/Lumiose City. And of them I'd say... Maushold. Like any big city, Paris has a big rodent problem, so Tandemaus should have no problem moving in and starting up Mausholds. But if they maybe want a more simpler Pokemon to make a suped up Mega for, I'd go for the pair of Armarouge and Ceruledge.



1m. I mean, we have an even more direct example: the Zygarde Cell collection quest in Sun & Moon. Infact looking through it may be a good idea to remind us of little things like some Zygarde Cells only appearing during day or night.

2m. Huh, didn't think about that. Infact, since Legends: Arceus had a unique way of calculating stats, maybe we shouldn't assume the Mega Pokemon will be as they were during Gen VI and VII. Because I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have hold items in Z-A (though I do hope they bring back Abilities, even if they have to change how some of them function), so would be a chance for GF to also play around with their stats to maybe make them less OP so maybe introduced in a future game they also wouldn't need to hold their Mega Stone. Some Pokemon need more than a 100 BST increase, others can do with less or even none, for a lot of Pokemon a good Type change & Ability (and better stat redistribution) goes a long way. Oh, and it also means any Pokemon that have a Mega can do it (like with Dynamax & Terastal) which would help out those Pokemon with Mega you wouldn't use otherwise.

3m. Like Join Avenue in BW2? I could see it, at least with "leveling up" stores (and let's not forget the restaurants & cafes). From XY there's the PR Video Studio, Galette Stand, Lumiose Museum, Battle Institute, Stone Emporium, Herboriste, Friseur Furfrou, Loto-ID Center, Lumiose Press, Poke Ball Boutique, Juice Shoppe, etc..
Of course, what now puts a obstacle in that path is the reveal the player is just a sightseer, a tourist. Granted, one who seems to get entangled in the going-ons of Lumiose City and we do eventually meet with Quasartico Inc's CEO, but still with the thought the player at anytime may leave they wouldn't give any city designing decision to them.

4m. You called that, though probably not in the way presented. Though interesting point about maybe the catahable areas, what we now know as Wild Zones, can also be "upgraded" and have new Pokemon show up. Would give us a reason to go back to older areas and explore around Lumiose City multiple times.



1s. Except neither have anything to do with Zygarde (game Bonnie isn't anime Bonnie). If anyone would do that would be Sycamore, Dexio & Sina as they'll have the Zygarde Cube. Though, that said, it looks like there's a 10% running around which the site says has already taken an interest in the player, so Zygarde may need no introduction (not to mention we have AZ who may be filling a mentor figure as the Hotel Z owner).

2s. Paldean, going to say no as GF may feel it's too soon.
Galar, problem is a lot of Galar characters are tied with the League so don't really see any have a reason for cameoing.
Though, if I were to suggest characters, ORAS presented a little factoid: Mauville City and Lumiose City are sister cities. Infact, Wattson's redesign of Mauville City was inspired by Lumiose City, so I'd say a cameo from him would be a neat callback. But if we use the Paris sister city idea, here's another: New York City. Get some Unova representation, and there's two good ones: Burgh and Elesa.

3s. Hm, we did skip the Ultra Beast in SV, and Quasartico is giving me Aether Foundation vibes. Maybe? Though, with them bringing back Mega Evolution, would it be considered too much? Though I guess this would be a chance to give a UB a Mega (the most obvious would be Naganadel).



*W Pokemon crying in the corner*



"You may not like it but this is peak Zygarde sexyman"



Oh, right, Wild Mega Pokemon would make sense as our Alpha expies.

BTW, just want to get this off my chest: I'm getting annoyed with people saying "Mega Evolving is painful for the Pokemon". But I feel that's misinterpreting what was meant by those dark Mega Dex entries. It's not that Mega Evolution is painful, it's that Mega Evolution is dangerous if not done correctly. Mega Evolution is a very powerful thing and requires a Pokemon to have a strong bond with a Trainer so they can burden some of the energy flow that it doesn't overpower the Pokemon, thus a Trainer Mega Evolving their Pokemon is not painful to them. HOWEVER a WILD Pokemon Mega Evolving is generally a bad thing as it has no one to shoulder the extra energy so, if not powerful enough, can be overwhelmed and go crazy.



We may not have gotten Pokemon Pinball, but I wouldn't lose hope. No one thought we'd ever get another Pokemon Snap game, and now we're getting the next game in the Stadium/Colosseum/Battle Revolution "series" which everyone thought was dead when the games jumped to 3D.

However know that they'll probably call it "New Pokemon Pinball".



So important question about these bikes: Are they fueled by sandwiches?

--------------------------------------------------

POST DIRECT:


I think they should have shown at least one new Mega... if they are making any new Megas.

"Really?". Okay, okay, it is too early to start sounding that alert, but I think it's a genuine concern that could have been easily set aside with them showing just one. One new Mega Pokemon for everyone to talk about and get excited for and what other Mega Pokemon are on the way. Because they have brought back Megas a few times now, but none of those times were there any new ones made.

Also, showing a Mega now would then make people wonder if they're saving the reveal of Regional Variants for later. Cause showing a new Mega Pokemon and showing new Regional Variants can be used as two different announcements. But now we're assuming their saving new Megas for later, which leaves little room for Regional Variant announcements... if there are any. Show one new Mega now, tell us about a few more for next couple of months, then reveal Regional Variants a month or so before release. But now for the next couple of months we're probably getting nothing (at least in news of Mega Pokemon), then a few months before release will probably be told about new Mega, and up to the games release will just be a new Mega here and there; not much room for Regional Variants.

And sure, if they never tell us but there are some then it would certainly be a nice surprise (and I'm sure there would be many who will praise not being told). But I would also like a steady supply news now that we've done the first gameplay trailer, but fear since we weren't told much we're now going to have radio silence until a few months before release. Keep the hype up.



... Wouldn't Spain be considered the normal ones since their version came first? Latin American Spanish being then a Regional Variant that's more popular than the original?



Love until people start picking it and remember that for some reason GF thought a defensive pure Grass-type was a good idea.



What do you think Master's attempt?

Well on the site it says for both AZ and Floette that "they're said to be 3000 years old", so it seems to have been turned to more of a rumor with implication there are people who don't believe it (which is understandable as only a handful of people were involved with the situation where that factoid held any importance). And yeah, AZ is tall, but freaky mutation happen.




Yeah, bringing up RadicalSoda again, they went on a small rant about the teleporting to the roofs instead of using ladders or stairs.

While at first it seems disappointing, I would like to also think GF has considered playing the game in long term than just wanting to cut a corner. Because if there were big ladders/stairs we needed to climb to get to the roofs, sure, at first it would feel immersive. But, after doing it a few times, and being it looks like the rooftops may be a frequent "layer" you'd go to for exploration and catch Pokemon, that "immersion" will turn into "tiring" if you had to climb the ladder/stairs each time, even if it was a cutscene. At that point you'd wish it would just teleport you up cause what else are you going to do in a middle of climbing a ladder or winding staircase?

In addition, it's not like this technology doesn't have precedence. Teleporters have existed since Gen 1, plus Quasartico look to be very much into this high tech/holographic tech so makes sense with them being in charge of the redevelopment.

And we do still see there are ladders, but they're for traversing on a "layer" instead of between them.



Oh, must have missed that. Hm. Well, maybe they won't have Hold Items but for Pokemon with Mega Evos they'll have a special slot for them to just hold their Mega Stone. I can see them doing that so if you have maybe multiples of a same Pokemon only one of them can go Mega so there's still some strategy.

--------------------------------------------------

(Just got to the end of Page 5, and going to stop here for now)

the masters theme is ok but the linked cannonball remix simply has more aura. i fuckinf love megaman vros zero is so cool and awesome

 

[Mario With Lasers]

Inshallah Meganium will get Flower Veil now

 

[javimgol]

my main beef with the reveal of latin american spanish is that they used a bunch of video footage from brazilian pokemon events while talking about unifying latam, and then just refused to talk about brazil or any updates on a portuguese translation for the games. I think adding latam spanish is fine, european spanish is worthless and should go extinct, but despite the price of these games theres still a pretty large consumer base for pokemon in brazil and its annoying how ignored we get

It's deeply disrepectful that you consider Spanish European as worthless and that should be exctincted. I hope mods warn you for your hateful attitude.

 

[ant4456]

If its a regional Meganium should literally just e Radical Red Meganium TBH